I think we'd all like more consistency, but given the random nature of raw data collection, delivery, and processing, we're always going to hit period where workunits are scarce, and that's okay. Part of the delivery requires humans regularly swapping drives in docks, so we're constrained by work hours and sleep and such. Even when new data is brought on line it take about 4 hours before the first file is "radar cleansed" and made available to the splitters, which then take however long to convert the clean raw data into workunits. In short, the feedback loop isn't so great, so an even flow is difficult.

We had a few more gremlins to play with since yesterday's power outage recovery. Weird stuff involving idmapd of all things, which never ever gave us problems before. It's dying for some reason on a couple systems, messing with file ownerships, though with mostly cosmetic results.

Outside of that, looks like Eric has been rolling out the new SETI@home client in beta. It's been a while since we had one of those.

- Matt
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-- BOINC/SETI@home network/web/science/development person
-- "Any idiot can have a good idea. What is hard is to do it." - Jeanne-Claude

Hi Matt and thanks for the update. No problems here. Workunits are coming in and going out as smooth as silk. The project is running better that ever for me.
Thank you, and all the people that keep things going.

In response to the above post that says
"No problems here. Workunits are coming in and going out as smooth as silk. "

See the "No Work" thread under Number Crunching. Several folks (probably lots of folks) having problems today in getting workunits.

It is also the weekend and SETI has no paid staff on on the weekend. Someone may try unpaid weekend work remotely from home if they feel like it. They may not be able to fix the problem remotely. If the staff is not paid for weekend work they can't do much for us until monday. Before people complain we need to remember that they only have around 5 part time staff for the total staff. They work 40h each but SETI pays for like 1/2 of each persons salary. Often they will if their normal weekend stuff brings them near the lab and they have time they will pop in to quickly "kick" the servers but that is volunteer time so no one will force it. They will get paid time on weekends for thing like AC alarms and other server dies permanently if no one responds alarms. This does not look like that type of problem so relax until monday.
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Yep... you people are right. No work units. Things were going so smooth for me, that I didn't bother checking. I'm on my last workunit right now. Saw the post on the website this morning. Ah well.... they will fix it. They always do ! Can't expect the crew to work on weekends !! ;)
Anyway, can't really gripe about it. Things ran great for several weeks, so, once again. I sit and wait.

Just looked at the server status page and see some MB splitters running with some results to send, contrary to the UPDATE saying the splitters would stay offline until tomorrow after the normal outage. I also see the Cricket graph showing outbound traffic at the normal rate. So some good news for all who are out of work. Appreciate what the staff has been able to do with the server failure.

Well MERCY sakes. Someone must be working in the lab ! I just checked on my last workunit and LO and BEHOLD... I have received more work ! If someone IS working, then I just want to say, THANK YOU !! Looks like I won't have to sit and wait after all ! I'm telling you, those guys are dedicated.